Lauren Beth O'Connell

January 30, 1962 - March 28, 2016

GENEVA -Lauren Beth O'Connell entered the world in Ithaca, New York, on January 30, 1962, and released her soul to the universe at her home in Geneva, on March 28, 2016. Her family and her legions of friends are heartbroken to know that she no longer walks among us, but we are bolstered by many lovely memories and artifacts of her enormous talent that remain with us. Calling hours are at DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home, 181 N. Main St., Geneva, on Friday, April 1, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m. A celebration of Beth's life will be held this summer at a date to be announced. Beth lived in Southern California for most of her young life and spent many summers with her sister, Kim, at their grandparents' Seneca Lake home, first at Nundawaga Farm in Romulus, and later at the family home a few miles up the road. It was there, just days ago, that our large family and several friends enjoyed a beautiful Easter Sunday, doing what we all love most: spending time together, eating, laughing, marveling at the beauty of the lake and singing Karaoke. We could not have known that it would be the last time that most of us would see her; but, if one could choose a final memory, it will forever be a sweet and precious one. Beth came from an extensive gene pool of gifted artists and she was no exception. She graduated from SUNY Albany with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree. Over the years she created many stained glass pieces that are displayed throughout the home she shared with her mother, Gail, and are distributed far and wide with lucky individuals who covet her pieces. Beth was also a creative genius with found objects, sea glass, stones and driftwood. On her basement work bench is her most recent creation, a sea glass and stone-on-driftwood piece that pays homage to Ellen Degeneres' closing line: Be kind to one another. Her masterpieces are everywhere and will be all the more cherished because their creator has crafted her last. Beth had been a private home health aide for various individuals, forming strong bonds with many of them. Additionally she was seasonally employed by Halcyon Hill, surrounded by acres of the most beautiful peonies in the world. She found peace, tranquility and refuge from her troubles in the solitude and beauty of nature. Beth's greatest joy was her daughter, Morgan, and Morgan's son, Brantley, who turned one year old just days prior to Beth's death. Brantley's family will ensure that he knows his grandmother and how much she adored him. As we gather to celebrate her life and send her off, we ask that you honor her memory by being kind to one another: it's free, it's easy and it can change the world. Beth is survived by her mother, Gail Young of Geneva; her father, Francis J. O'Connell and stepmother, Barbara O'Connell of Woodstock, Vermont, and Florida; her daughter, Morgan McCrady and her grandson, Brantley Chappell, Brockville, Ontario, Canada; her sister, Kim O'Connell Davis of Romulus; stepbrothers Sean O'Connell and Mack O'Connell; grandmother, Suzanne Young of Geneva; aunt and uncle Laura and Allen Carleton of Duxbury, MA; aunt Margie Young Linn of Geneva; uncle, Neil Young, of Geneva; her niece, Kacey McClellan and her nephew, Logan Davis, both of Romulus; and a boatload of cousins: Clay Young, Benjamin Carleton, Megan Carleton, Lauren Linn, Lucas Linn, Trevor Linn and Chloe Linn; Donald Allison, Kellyn Pettine, Jonah Pettine and Jonathan Rodriguez; Tahleiha Linn, Uriah Linn, Jaci Linn and Kirin Linn; dear friend Bernie Helmer. Beth was predeceased by grandparents Ray Young, Dan O'Connell, Virginia O'Connell Govern, George Govern; uncles Craig Young and Daniel O'Connell.